Made-for-TV adventures

Irish men create their share of suspense and drama, only to end in frustration.

Irish men create their share of suspense and drama, only to end in frustration.

February 03, 2006|TOM NOIE Tribune Staff Writer

Each game has become an adventure that lasts at least 40 minutes before another hand-wringing, ulcer-inducing and dizzying conclusion leaves everyone involved numb in trying to describe the details. Anyone interested in the Notre Dame men's basketball program has come to understand that something strange always happens in the closing seconds of a Big East game. The final minutes are not to be missed and will keep fans talking at their kids' bus stop and around the office the next morning. Reality television has nothing on these Irish (10-9 overall; 1-7 Big East), who keep finding ways to make you believe they finally can win, only to take another punch to the stomach at the end. Notre Dame sits in 15th place in the Big East, having lost its seven league games by a total of 23 points. "It's great drama, isn't it?" Irish coach Mike Brey said with just a hint of sarcasm Thursday morning, hours after returning home from the latest letdown, a 71-70 loss at West Virginia. "We're a little bit of a miniseries that people can relate to. We've been on a lot of highlights lately." Rather than have the television talking heads blabber about a clutch Notre Dame win, one where Brey's team overcame another sluggish stretch, erased a double-digit deficit and made all the small plays needed for a big victory, they run clips of another collapse.

Marquette's Steve Novak hits a fall-away jumper with 1.1 seconds remaining in a tie game for the Golden Eagles' win.

Chris Quinn catches a fullcourt pass from teammate Rob Kurz, only to have his point-blank flip shot fall short in overtime against Georgetown, where Notre Dame lost in double overtime.

Villanova's Kyle Lowry arrives from nowhere to tip in the decisive basket with 1.7 seconds remaining and a 72-70 Wildcats' win. "The ratings people," Brey said, "have to love us." Handed the one-point loss by the No. 11 Mountaineers after Quinn's runner through the lane bounced away as time expired, Notre Dame now has lost four-consecutive games for the first time under Brey. It also marks the first time since 1995-96 that the Irish have started a Big East season 1-7. Back then, during Notre Dame's first year in the league, the Irish lost their first seven league games by a combined 83 points and were seldom in it. Now they're in every one, but cannot close. "It's made us a tougher group," said junior guard Colin Falls. "Hopefully that makes us tougher down the stretch." The time for tears or wondering what they need to do to earn a league win has long passed for these Irish. Best 1-7 league team in the country? Hard-luck of the Irish? Notre Dame will not have any of it. "You can't feel sorry for yourself," Brey said. "That's the one thing that's absolutely unacceptable. I don't really want to go down that road -- why us?" On Thursday, Brey reinforced the effort of his point guard, who called every play, including the last one, over the game's final four minutes. Quinn has played the entire 40 minutes in six of the last seven games, but has only one win -- 20 days ago -- to show for it. Late Wednesday, he wrestled with his emotions in a somber Irish locker room before standing tall and talking -- again -- of another close call. "All we can do is keep fighting," said Quinn, whose work the first half of the conference season would merit serious league player of the year honors if not for the 1-7 slate. "I love my teammates. I'll go to battle with them any day." Brey cautioned his players that it would be a quick turnaround heading into Saturday's game against Louisville at Freedom Hall. He also told them that executing game situations in the closing seconds would determine the outcome. Can anyone argue otherwise? Staff writer Tom Noie: tnoie@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6153